Minister of Information, Civic Education and Communications Technology Mark Botomani has applauded Youth Net and Counselling (Yoneco) for promoting and protecting youth and women on issues of gender based violence.
On Friday, the minister visited YONECO head office in Zomba where he appreciated the services being provided by the organization through Yoneco FM, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) department and Tithandizane Helpline.
Botomani pointed out YONECO’s success stories including achievements by the ICT department on programs that have been developed by YONECO’s own youthful staff that are complementing government’s efforts in promoting lives of the people in the country.
Bottomani said: “On behalf of the government I must commend Yoneco for the establishments they have made through different platforms in dealing with gender based violence and children exploitation issues.
“I was pleased to see various ICT platforms that have been developed by our own youthful Yoneco staff and I encourage them to keep it up.”
He also encouraged YFM team to keep on airing programs that are aimed at sensitizing people on issues of GBV, HIV and Aids, climate change and environment to further make Malawi a better place to live.
In his remarks, one of the board members of YONECO, Samuel Botha said the organization was privileged by the minister’s visit and described it as an encouragement.
He however asked the minister to intervene in addressing some of the challenges facing the organization such as the exorbitant prices being charged by the service providers on some of its toll free lines.
“Apart from child helpline we also have GBV and Drug and Substance Abuse toll free lines that despite people using them for free but YONECO still pays for them in the range of K700-K800 per moth so we hope that the minister will discuss with MACRA and we will also be following up the matter to ensure it is formalized,” said Botha.
The minister was accompanied by Principal Secretary Esmie Kainja, Director of Information Nzati Nkolokosa and Member of Parliament for Zomba Central, Bester Awali.
